Chair convertible to a table



March 11, 1952 I RIZZOLO 2,588,574 I CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO A TABLE Filed NOV. 23, 1945 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 IN VENTOR.

March 11, 1952 D. R. RIZZOLO 2,588,574

CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO A TABLE Filed Nov. 25, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

' ;L' jliirizg Patented Mar. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO A TABLE Donato 'R.Rizzolo, Bloomfield, N. J.

Application November 23, 1945, Serial l\ lo. 630,313

3 Claims. (01.155-43) This invention relates to a convertible .furniallyprovide a reclining chair, a couch or a table.

The invention has for an object to provide a simple and efilcient convertible chair structure formed by a plurality of sections and a support- .ing leg structure therefor, saidsections comprising a seat section, a back section and .a leg rest section, and said .sections being articulated or pivotally interconnected with each other and with the leg structure in such novel .manner that swinging movements of the back section are automatically transmitted to the other sections, whereby to dispose said sections in various selected relative positions adaptedeto optionally provide a reclining chair arrangement thereof, a substantially flatly extended couch-like arrangement thereof, or a folded arrangement thereof wherein the back section is disposed relative to the supporting leg structure and above the other folded sections so as 'toprovidea table arrangement.

The invention has for another object to provide a novel chair structure, characterized as above stated, wherein side 'or arm rest mem- ..bers are arranged so as to be immovably sup- :ported by the leg structure, and wherein the articulated back, seatand leg-rest sections are 'pivotally suspended from said side or arm rest members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel convertible chair structure, characterized as above stated,'wherein the foldable articula'ted sections and parts thereof are separable from the supporting leg structure so as to be removable therefrom, whereby said sections and parts and said leg structure, when separated, may 'be respectively collapsed and reduced, to

' comparatively small bulk for storage or for packtime "more particularly enumerated, will .be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment .o'f ,.the, invention is shown in the accompanying dra ngs, .in which:

1 5g. .lzis side elevational view of a convertible chair. truciture made according to 'thisrlin- 'ventiom'th same being arranged with its articuillcated JSBCtlOIIS as disposed :to provide an upright or straight 'Ebacked :ch'a'ir; Fig. '2 .is a longitudinal 2 sectional view of the chairstructure showing .its articulated sections as disposed to provide a reclining chair; Fig. 3 is a similar longitudinal sectional view showing the articulated sections of the chair structure as disposed to provide a substantially flatly extended couch-like arrangement thereof; Fig. 4 is also a longitudinal sectional view showing the articulated sections of the chairstructure as disposed to provide a table arrangement thereof; and Fig. *5 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrative embodiment of the convertible chair structure of this invention, as therein shown, comprises a pair of immovably supported, laterally spaced apart, side members I0, preferably so formed that they may :serve as arm rests. These side members or arm rests ID are adapted "to be mounted :on a supporting leg structure. Prefera ly said leg structure is "of collapsible-construction, and arranged so as to be .detachably connected with said side members or arm rests ID in supporting relation thereto. One construction and arrangement of collapsible leg structure, as shown, comprises pairs of crossed ;-leg members If and I2, pivotally joined at 13, so as to be capable of being folded together in substantially parallelly aligned relation. The upper end of the inner leg member H of each pairof leg members, when the latter are extended to operative relation, is adapted to abut the under side or edge of a side mem er or arm rest 10. Suitable releasable fastening means, such a. g. as the hoe-k and stud means H (see Fig. l), are provided for detachablysecuring said legsmemhers .I l in the described supporting relation to the side members or arm rests 10,. The upper end of the outer leg member I 2 of each pair of leg members, when said leg members are :extended to operative relation, is adaoted to lap the outer side or face of a side member :or arm rest Ill. Suitable releasable fastening means, such e. g. .as the stud and wing-nut means 15 4 (see Fig. 1.), are provided for detachably-securing said leg ,members .12 in the described supporting relation to the side members 2.01 rests 1.0. Across-tie .or bar 13' is secured .to and v.Lbetwern the rearwardly extending lower portions :oicorresponding leg members of said pal-rs thereof. as 1e. g. between .suchgponti'ons or the leg .mem'hers l1.

The articulated movable sections of the chair structure comprise a seat section I6, a back section I1, and a leg rest section IS, the latter preferably terminating in a foot rest section I9. The rearward end of the seat section I6 is hingedly connected at 20 with the lower extremity of the back section I1. Said back section I1 is fulcrumed, at a point upwardly spaced from its hinged connection 20 with said seat section I6, by hinge or pivotal connections 2I with the rearward ends of the side members or arm rests Ill. The forward end of the seat section I6 is suspended from the forward ends of the side members or arm rests III by swingable links 22. The upper ends of said links 22 are respectively pivotally connected at 23 with the forward ends of said side members or arm rests I0, and the lower ends of said links 22 are respectively pivotally connected at 24 with the respective opposite sides of the forward end of said seat section I6. By the described arrangement, that portion of the back section I1 which extends between its hinge or pivotal connections 2I with the rearward ends of the side members or arm rests I and its hinge connection with the rearward end of the seat section I6, provides a swingable rearward linkage 22' cooperative with the swingable forward linkage provided by the links 22, whereby the seat section I6 is swingably suspended from the side members or arm rests I0, while that portion of the back section I1, which extends above the hinge or pivotal connections 2I with the rearward ends of the side members or arm rests I 6, provides a power applying leverage for transmitting to the thus suspended seat section I6 required forward and back swinging movements when adjusting said back and seat sections to various desired positions adapted to optionally convert the chair structure to reclining chair, couch or table arrangement.

The upper or inner end of the leg rest section I8 is hingedly connected, also at 24, with the forward end of said seat section I6, but is so fixed to the links 22 as to constitute in effect a rigid extension thereof. Pivotally connected respectively with opposite sides of the forward end portion of the seat section I6, at points 25 rearwardly spaced from the leg rest hinge connection at 24, are the upper ends of lever bars 26 which extend downwardly in spaced relation and more or less parallel to the sides of said leg rest section I8. The lower ends of said lever bars 26 and the lower end of said leg rest section I8 are interconnected by coupling links 21 pivotally related thereto by the respective hinging connections 28 and 29. Integral with the forward ends of said coupling links 21 are extensions 30 thereof which project beyond the lower or outer end of said leg rest section I8. To and between these link extensions 30 is afiixed the foot rest section I9, whereby the same is articulately related to the lower or outer end of said leg rest section I 8.

In an illustrative arrangement of the above described sections and their articulating connections, as shown, said sections are preferably, although not necessarily, combined with rigid metallic frame portions, of either flat, or tubular stock, to which and between which the section bodies may be suitably secured. Such frameportions may comprise frame pieces 3 I to which are fixedly secured the side members or arm rests III, which frame pieces terminate in the hinging or pivotal connections 2I and '23; frame pieces- 32 to which are fixedly secured the sides of the seat section I6, which frame pieces terminate in the hinging or pivotal connections 20 and 24; frame pieces 33 to which are fixedly secured sides of the back section I1, the lower ends of which frame pieces terminate in the hinging or pivotal connection 20; and frame pieces 34 to which are fixedly secured the sides of the leg rest section I8; said frame pieces 34 preferably being rigid extensions of the links 22. I

The seat, back, leg rest sections I6, I1 and I8 and the foot rest section I9 if desired, may comprise suitably upholstered bodies, or optionally may comprise canvas or like bodies suitably attached to and between the frame pieces.

Afi'ixed to the rear face of the back section I1 is a table top section 35 made of suitable mate rial and of desired peripheral shape or design.

In the use and operation of the novel convertible chair structure, to dispose the body sections in position to form a normal straightbacked chair (see Fig. 1), the back section I1 is swung forwardly to upright position about the hinging or pivotal connections 2I, whereby the rearward linkage 22 is rearwardly swung relative to the supporting leg structure and fixed side members or arm rests I0, thus producing a rearward movement of the linkage suspended seat section I6. Since the leg rest section in effect constitutes a rigid extension of the links 22, the rearward swinging movement of the latter, which accompanies said rearward movement of the seat section I5, produces a rearward and downward swinging movement of the leg rest section I8, whereby to dispose the same in a substantially perpendicular normal position. The rearward swinging movement of the leg rest spection I8 is transmitted through the links 21 to the lever bars 26, thus causing the latter, as they swing about their fulcrum points 25, to exert a downward thrust upon said links '21 operative to swing the same downwardly about their pivotal connections 29 with the lower end of the leg rest section I8, and thereby simultaneously swinging the extensions 30 of said links 21 with the foot rest I9 upwardly, so as to dispose the foot rest section I9 in a substantially horizontal plane, substantially parallel to the plane of the seat section I6, and thus substantially right angularly to the perpendicularly disposed leg rest section I8. From the above described straight backed chair arrangement, the body sections may be moved into reclining chair forming positions of selected inclination, and finally to couch forming arrangement (see Figs. 2 and 3). This is accomplished by swinging the back section I1 rearwardly about the hinging or pivotal connections 2I. By so doing, the rearward linkage 22' is forwardly swung relative to the supporting leg structure and fixed side members or arm rests I0, thus producing a forward movement of the linkage suspended seat section I6, with accompanying forward swinging movements of the links 22 and leg rest section I8, whereby, as the back section swings downwardly to a given upwardly inclined position, said leg rest I8 will swing upwardly to a substantially corresponding downwardly inclined position (see Fig. 2). At the same time the upward swinging movement of the leg rest structure I8 is transmitted through the links 21 to the lever bars 26, thus causing the latter, as they swing about their fulcrum points 25, to exert an upward pull upon said links 21 operative to swing the same upwardly about their pivotal connections 29 with the lower end of the leg rest section I8, and thereby simultaneously f swing the extensions of said links *2"l"downwardly, so as tomaintain the foot-rest section :dition all the body sections are brought into more or less common plane, whereby. to convert the chair structure to the couch 'arrangementthereof (see Fig. '3).

, ..The described relative movements of the body section's-are so "mutuallybalanced, that conversion of ithe chair structure; from straight rangement may be accomplished simply by the occupant assuming a desired reclining position, since the balance of the sections permits the same to automatically follow the movement of the occupants body. For example, in changing from upright to reclining position the occupant leans back thereby exerting back swinging pressure upon the back section I! with accompanying forward shifting movement of the seat section it andresultant upswinging movement of the leg rest section. To return the chair structure to upright condition, the occupant merely leans forward or rises from the waist, thus removing back swinging pressure from the back section I"! and transferring body weight to the seat section It, which swings or forces the latter downward, thus not only effecting accompanying down swinging movement of the leg rest section I8, but also compelling the back section I! to maintain pressure against the back of the occupant.

It may be desired to releasably secure the chair structure in a desired reclining or couch arrangement, so as to prevent the above described automatic movements of the body sections in response to movements of the occupants body. Means for this purpose may take various forms and may be variously related to relatively movable parts of the chair structure. An illustrative form of means for such purpose, as shown, comprises a slotted fastener link 36 pivotally anchored by one end to a fixed point, as e. g. the pivotal connection 24. Said fastener link 36 is adapted to extend to and across the adjacent lever bar 26, and the latter is equipped with a stud and thumbnut fastener means 3'! engaged through the slot of said link 36. When the body sections have been positioned in desired relative disposition, the stud and thumb-nut fastener 31 may be tightened so as to bind the fastener link 35 to the lever bar 25, thus preventing operative movements thereof, and consequently of the entire articulated structure of which it forms a part.

When the chair structure is not desired to be occupied, the same may be quickly and easily converted into a serviceable table arrangement. This is done merely by swinging the back section ll forwardly from its upright position and downwardly so as to rest upon the side members or arm rests I0, and thus in horizontal plane,- with its table top portion 35 upwardly presented. Such forward and downward swinging movement of the back section l1, produces a rearward and upward movement of the seat section it to dispose the same in underlying relation to the downswung back section. while at the same time, the

The back section I! may be rearrearward'and upward movement of theseat section I 6, produces through the induced movements of "links 22 and lever bars 26 a rearward and-upward swinging movement of the leg rest section It, and a forward and upward swinging movement of the foot rest section I9, so that these latter sections are likewise i'n-folded beneath "the seat section and lowered back section (see Figs.

4 and 5).

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A furniture piece adapted to be optionally converted to chair or table form comprising a leg structure, laterally spaced stationary side members supported by said leg structure, body sections including a back section and a seat section, each said section being of width less than the spaced separation of said side members, suspension link means pivotally connected with and extending backed chair arrangement through recliningl zo chair'arrangements to a final couch forming arbetweenthe forward ends of said side members and the forward end of said seat section, a table top panel of a width exceeding the spaced sepa- "ration of said side members, said panel "being afiixed to the rear face of the back section, joint means extendingrearwardly from the side members by which the back section is pivotally connected therewith at points upwardly spaced from they lower end of the latter, and additional joint means for pivotally interconnecting the rearward end of the seat section with the lower end of the back section in spaced apart relation, said latter joint means comprising joint portions projecting rearwardly and upwardly from the seat section and pivotally joined to forwardly projecting joint portions extending from the lower end of the back section, whereby said back section may be swung forward and downwardly into horizontal superposed relation to the simultaneously lifted seat section with the table top panel supported by and across said side members to convert the furniture piece to table form.

2. A furniture piece adapted to be optionally converted to chair or table form as defined in claim 1, wherein the body sections further include a leg rest section, a third joint means for pivotally interconnecting the upper end of the leg rest section to the forward end of the seat section in spaced apart relation, said third joint means comprising downwardly projected portions extending from the forward end of the seat section and pivotally joined to the upper end portion of said leg rest section, whereby said leg rest section may be swung rearward into underlying relation to said seat section when the furniture piece is converted to table form, lever bar means pivotally connected with the sides of the seat section at points spaced rearwardly from the forward end thereof, said lever bar means extending substantially parallel to the leg rest section, link means pivotally interconnected between the lower ends of the leg rest section and said lever bar means, and means to releasably secure said body sections in selected relatively adjusted disposition comprising a fastener link means pivoted by one end to joint means intermediate the spaced ends of said seat and leg rest sections, said fastener link means intersecting said lever bar means, and manipulatable fastener means for releasably securing said link means to said lever bar means. i

3. A furniture piece adapted to be optionally converted to chair or table form comprising a leg structure, laterally spaced stationary side members supported by said leg structure, body sections including a table top and back section and a seat section, said seat section being of width less than and the table top being of a width greater than the spaced separation of said side members, suspension link means pivotally connected with and extending between the forward ends of said side members and the forward end of said seat section, jointmeans extending rearwardly from the side members by which the table top and back section is pivotally connected therewith at points upwardly spaced from the lower end of the latter, and additional joint means for pivotally interconnecting the rearward end of the seat section with the lower end portion of the table top and back section, said latter joint means comprising joint portions projecting rearwardly and upwardly from the seat section and pivotally joined to forwardly projecting joint portions extending from the lower end portion of the table top and back section at points spaced below said first mentioned joint means, whereby said table top and back section may be swung forward and downwardly from .erct chair back forming position into horizontal superposed relation to the simultaneously lifted seat section and so as to be supported by and across said side members to convert the furniture piece to table form.

DONATO R. RIZZOLO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 403,318 Arnold May 14, 1889 505,321 Moreland Sept. 19, 1893 525,051 Knight Aug. 28, 1894 1,286,094 Porter Nov. 26, 1918 1,369,661 Hopkins Feb. 22, 1921 1,864,798 Bryden June 28, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,797 Great Britain 1903 

